If you were Yamaha, who would you choose?

Rossi declared Yamaha have to choose between him and Lorenzo.

So if you were Yamaha, what would you do?

1) Follow good feelings of gratitude for the 30-year old champion and trust that he'll be able (and willing....) to race and win for another couple of years at least beyond 2010, or

2) Go for Lorenzo. He's young, fast, you got to think for the future.

Not an easy choice. Then, what about the third variable... Spies? If Spies is fast, would that work in favor of Rossi or Lorenzo?

I would choose myself. Then I would choose to ride the Honda HRC.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SuperShinya56 @ Nov 11 2009, 01:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I would choose myself. Then I would choose to ride the Honda HRC.
Are you speaking on behalf of shinya? The answer is still .... no.

I say rossi. Cause they have spies.

I would choose Rossi. We know that Lorenzo has championship(s) ahead of him. I don't think that anyone can deny that. So is Yamaha willing to give up Lorenzo's championships to keep Rossi for a few more years, championship or not? Rossi as an ambasador and figurehead to the company is worth more than those championships IMO. Hopefully Rossi would repay Yamaha's loyalty by passing along his knowledge to the next in line. Even though Lorenzo is too proud to accept anything from Rossi and Rossi doesn't like him enough to give it to him, there might be a one Mr. Spies who would humbly accept some training and wisdom from the GOAT

rossis' name will still be selling yamahas 30 years from now. lorenzos wont. easy choice to make between guaranteed sales and a possible championship or 3...

Best case for Rossi: both he and spies are exceeding expectations come contract time and Yamaha realizes that they can keep Rossi and have a relatively inexpensive insurance in the form of spies... maybe by that time Rossi will be more amenable (and ben more palatable than Jorge) to passing the torch and mentoring as his career fades...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigAl @ Nov 11 2009, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>rossis' name will still be selling yamahas 30 years from now. lorenzos wont. easy choice to make between guaranteed sales and a possible championship or 3...

Just what I was about to say. In terms of speed, I don't think there is 'that' much between them but Rossi still obviously has the edge. However, Lorenzo has time on his side compared to Rossi, and if i'm not mistaken is doing as well, if not better in terms of stats than Rossi's earlier career? (I know Rossi was on 500's though, and did win the title in his 2nd year).

However, a riders speed isn;t the only factor that the factory will consider. As BigAl said, even if Lorenzo won the 2010-2014 championships Yamaha probably would sell as many bikes (except maybe in Spain) as they would continuing with Rossi, championships or not.

chose Rossi no doubt! Lorenzo can leave, then when Rossi returns Yamaha can poach him back (or whoever else is the man) with the $12m or whatever Rossi gets paypacket. Spies' speed works in Rossi's favour because he's lower on the rider development curve, buying Rossi a junior who will come to his maximum strength a few years after Lorenzo, hwo is ready to be team leader now

If Spies can prove he is as fast as Lorenzo then I would say it helps Rossi. Yamaha knows that it is only a matter of time before Rossi drops from the cutting edge, but his value as a marketing asset is far too great to ditch him in favor of Lorenzo. The lorenshow has already proved to be a problem child in his contract negotiations, manipulating the situation, dragging his feet, playing contract chicken. I can't see Japanese businessmen taking kindly to such behavior, even coming from what seems to be the Heir to the Throne. In the event they pick Lorenzo over Rossi, there is no guarantee Lorenzo will be content in the long term. He is chasing championships, and the second that bike (or the team situation in general) falls behind he will get the hell out. From this point of view Rossi is the clear choice for Yamaha, since Lorenzo is an unknown for the future whereas Rossi is happy developing a bike and retiring with the brand.

Rossi, however, is guilty of the same types of contract flip-flopping; he has a history of such actions when he left Honda, and his mouth is running again about Ducati. His mass appeal might make him still more valuable despite such animosity, and its easier to justify tolerating a whining 7 time premier class world champion than an upstart. Is Rossi winning races more valuable then Lorenzo winning championships? That is the question Yamaha needs to answer.

As for Spies, he appears to be far more loyal and obedient than Lorenzo. He really tried everything he could to stay in the suzuki family before making a switch. so his loyalty can be assured. If Spies reaches Lorenzo's level of on-track ability, Spies would be the superior choice. He carries relatively no baggage--just keep his mom happy. Spies' aforementioned loyalty and work ethic are a plus, and that looming 1000cc capacity change adds to his (and Rossi's for that matter) case. Assuming Spies=Lorenzo in the near future, then a Rossi/Spies garage seems better than a Spies/Lorenzo garage. Yamaha gets on track results from Spies and marketing appeal from Rossi without any intense #1 rider drama that Spies/Lorenzo would bring. The scenario laid out is crucially dependent on Spies finding a good deal more tenths however, so we shall see.

It has to be Rossi. He's what, 30? 31? And still is as fast as ever and to be quite honest I don't see him losing any significant speed until he's closer to 35. My only concern with Rossi is his ability to get bored with any occasion. He seems to have the fire now, but who's to say that after 2011 he won't be tired of bikes? Even still, I see him being as fast as Lorenzo, if not faster for the majority of the remainder of his career. And then you add in the global marketability of Rossi and it's nearly a no brainer. And then you add in the great potential from Spies and it is a no brainer.

only one choice.simples

That Spies flavored KoolAid that's going around is growing on me; with each glass, it just tastes better and better!

Assume Yamaha jettison Lorenzo and bring Ben onto the factory team. Peace and Harmony assured? No way!! The moment Spies presents a challenge to Valentino, the toys will once again be flying and Yam will be right back in the poo. Remember, Rossi is the one who insisted on THE WALL. Rossi is the one pitching fits every time he feels slighted. Rossi is the one with the irritating habit of holding the gun to their head to get what he wants. <u>Rossi is the one who cannot tolerate a competitive team mate.</u> These are serious issues - can Yam continue to live with them?? If I ran the zoo, I'd be watching Ben very closely. If he shows any signs of possessing alien DNA, I'd say 'Screw it, Vale. SEE YA!'

Even if Spies fails to impress, Yamaha will need to be looking down the road at all possible contingencies, and must be ready to face the eventual loss of Valentino and the Burgess brain trust. Whether it happens in 2011, or 2~3 years later when they retire, it WILL happen. IMO, they need to start planning now. The sooner they start poaching and recruiting engineers etc., the better.

Rossi,he still has the HUNGER.That and a lot of the above reasons.

i think rossi is out of order making them choose yamaha pays his wages to ride and develope the bike so he should do that ! jorge has helped rossi raise his game this year and pushed him on so for once i say he is out of order !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^
someone forgot to flush the toilet
















pointless thread..hello.. he's the goat..

As much as I'd love to see Vale on a Aprilia or Ducati I think Yamaha need to do everything possible to keep Rossi in their blue till he retires. He will be a great asset even after he retires and Yamaha can't afford to fail in HRC mode. I really don't see Jorge staying on the M1 longer than another year and Spies will take his place.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Nov 11 2009, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>^
someone forgot to flush the toilet
















pointless thread..hello.. he's the goat..
+1

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Nov 12 2009, 07:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>^
someone forgot to flush the toilet





pointless thread..hello.. he's the goat..



agreed all around

You all are taslking from the heart and not the future. First question you have to ask in this situation regarding these two is there a possibility of Lorenzo winnig a title against Rossi? IF you can say yes then the deal will be done for Lorenzo due to the fact he won't retire before Vale. If you keep it simple you will easily see this. How many years does each rider have in GP? I would say that Lorenzo will most likely be there longer based on everything that Vale has said about the length of time he has left in Gp and what he wants to do for the future must make a company think real hard about this choice. Vale will be on a Ducati before he retires. Plus he will win the title on it. In addition to that It will most likely be the most exciting season watched in many many years.

Rossi:

1996 - 125 Learning Year
1997 - 125 Title
1998 - 250 Learning Year
1999 - 250 Title
2000 - 500 Learning Year
2001 - 500 Title
2002 - 990 Title (Note - No Learning Year on the RCV)
2003 - 990 Title
2004 - 990 Title
2005 - 990 Title
2006 - 990 P2 (No title and a non-learning year)
2007 - 800 Learning Year
2008 - 800 Title
2009 - 800 Title
2010 - 46/27 currently even odds to take the title

While everybody's arguing about the next Rossi, the current Rossi is still bringing home Championships.

There's no way Yamaha is letting him go. All the work done for Yamaha will be forgotten if #123 is on a red bike.

EDIT: forgot to note that '06 was cosmic justice for not taking a learning year in '02